A sneak peek into the pictures to come! Grand Place, the beautiful central square of Brussels, was incredible and definitely grand. I loved all the different roof shapes of the long, narrow buildings. The full Brussels City Guide coming this week!
Happy Adventures,
Erika
Belgium beer are the bee’s knees. I was going to first provide a full Brussels City Guide, but I think that it is important to create one just for the beer! And the beer being a main course in Belgium, it only seemed fitting.
:::CAFE LEFFE:::
Our first stop was Cafe Leffe. As you can see below, we didn’t even get to our Airbnb to drop off our bags, having a Leffe was first on the list. This spot is not only in the beautiful Salon Center but also has all Leffe brews on tap. The Leffe Ruby being my favorite, so refreshing and yummy. We definitely came back here multiple times.
:::DELIRIUM CAFE:::
Delirium Cafe is known for their beer selection…as in 2400 different types of beer! They have a catalog for their beer menu…it’s crazy. It is kind of chaotic here, but worth checking out! We first ordered the Delirium Nocturnum on tap > Delicious! Then we went on to beers like the La Trappe, Pink Killer, and St. Bernardus. Great spot when looking for a unique selection of beer!
:::AU BRASSEUR:::
Au Brasseur was the only place where we could find a sampler of Belgium Beers. You can order a sampler of 3, 6, 9 or 15 Belgium beers. This place was packed at night so we went during the late afternoon, when it was slower and shared the 9 beer sampler. {ALSO: The only take CASH Euros, no cards accepted.}
Plus: There are many shops where you can browse beers by region!
Look for more pictures and full city guide coming soon!
Happy adventures,
Erika
My carry-on bag for those long cross-Atlantic flights has been perfected! I currently don’t work many international flights (due to my base & seniority mostly), but I do fly a lot of red-eyes and try to take as many weekend trips to Europe that I can fit in. Now with more of a routine in place, it makes those 8+ hours feel less intimidating.
Here is how I prepared for a red-eye or flight across the Atlantic, to say Brussels :).
Step One::: Before I head to the airport, I shower and put my hair in a braid (using Essential #5, an EMI-JAY hair tie).
Step Two::: Confirm I have my passport, and that all the essentials above are in my carry-on! I also try to pack an empty water bottle to fill at the airport.
Step 3::: Once onboard and settled, I usually like to watch one movie and then after sleep for the next 4 or 5 hours. Ask for a cup of hot water and add the Zarbee’s Night Time Drink (Essential #1). It will not only protect your throat but ease you into a nice peaceful sleep.
[ I usually struggle to get to sleep and then if I do sleep, wake with a dry and sore throat. In a perfect world, I would not sleep with my mouth open…bahaha. Luckily, I finally found something that solves my problem >>ZARBEE’S!! They also have vitamin-filled or immune support supplements! AND with great ingredients!]
Step 4::: I find it necessary to have a sleep mask (Essential #2, accompanied by eye drops). If you are near a galley or bathroom there will always be a light on, and the mask solves that dilemma.
Step 5::: Flights arrive into Europe in the morning, so I like to hit the ground running, no time to waste! Once I wake up, I go into the restroom and take out my braid, finger comb and fluff (maybe even apply some dry-shampoo, it can be hard to find in travel size). My hair was contained in the braid for my sleep and now can be let down with a nice wave.
Step 6::: I wipe down my face with a refreshing YestoCucumbers Face Wipes (Essential #4) and reapply makeup if I’m feeling ambitious.
Step 7::: And then of course brush my teeth and use some mouthwash (Essentials #7), that always helps with waking up too. After, apply some Burt’s Bees lip balm (Essential #3, the only chapstick that I use).
Step 8::: Finally hands need some EOS hand lotion (Essential #8).
ALSO:: Drink LOTS of water! Ricola drops (Essential #6) are a soothing treat too. Lemon mint is my favorite flavor :).
Would always love to hear your travel tips or routines!
Happy travels!
Erika
I want to thank Yvonne Payne ( go see her blog http://kritsayvonne.com) for nominating me for The Versatile Blogger Award. This is an award nominated by WordPress bloggers for WordPress bloggers, in hopes to recognize each other’s efforts and to also grow their blog community. Yvonne and I first connected on my post about Crete (where she now resides in a village called Krista for part of the year). I love seeing other’s perspective on places I’ve been or hope to go. Thank you again Yvonne!
Part of the award requirements are:
WELL…Here are some random Erika facts:
1::I write left-handed but play sports with my right hand.
2::I’ve buried hidden treasures at every house I’ve lived in.
3::I don’t like tomatoes. Though, I try to like them and order them on my sandwiches every time…but that doesn’t seem to work.
4::I fractured my pelvis in a car accident.
5::I bought my first car for $600 (the one that was later destroyed in the above accident).
6::I’ve always wanted a New York accent.
7::My first Pandora stations were Michael Buble and “21 Questions”…maybe I had thought that would cover just about everything. 🙂
I decided to nominate the following blogs:
Pursuit of Life – Great pictures from around the world. Travel-inspiriing!
B.livewear – One of the first blogs I started to follow once part of WordPress. Great for fit lifestyle motivation and smoothie recipes.
Ellis Goes on Holiday – I love getting food and travel suggestions, maybe because I also love to give them :). Ellis has some great documentation of her travels!
My French Heaven – Awesome photos that really tell a story!
Traveling the World Solo – Love seeing where her next adventure takes her!
In Search of Balance – Photography, photography, photography.
Finger, Fork, Knife – Food blog worth noting! A recent find, but a goodie.
Happy Life Adventures,
Erika
As I look to the upcoming events of the summer, I realized that it’s going to be busy and awesome. We will be visiting family for weddings, graduations and baby showers. While also getting visited by parents to explore Chicago in its prime.
Coming up this summer are some anticipated adventures like: the World’s Largest Yard Sale (goes through 6 states) and The Farm Chicks Show in Spokane. Jake and I have been big garage-sale-goers since we started dating. We love turning old, worn treasures into something special for our home. My mom is also launching her store front this summer called Saturday Mornings. She is the ultimate treasure-finder! We plan to rummage until our legs are jello and our trailer is brimming with goodies.
What do you all have planned for the summer? Any events where I should make an appearance?
Here’s the scoop on some of my big summer events:
:::THE FARM CHICKS SHOW:::
June 6th-7th: Spokane, WA
My mom went to this event last year, she said it was full of people selling their own crafted items, antique finds and much more. It’s still a pretty new event but has been growing quickly. It is an $8 cash fee to get in per day. This show is an extra bonus to the main event being able to see my brother Evan at Mission Aviation School! Hoping he takes me up for a ride :).
:::World’s LARGEST Yard Sale:::
August 6th-9th
Here are a few images that give you a taste of what this adventure is all about. It’s 690 miles of people, food, junk and hidden treasures. These images were found on Pinterest. I hope by the end of this summer I can equip you with a full guide to conquering this adventure. And also supply you with some great photos.
:::CHICAGO FESTIVALS:::
Obviously, Chicago Festivals are going to be a key part to our summer. I love Chicago’s love for the summer months. People take full advantage of the warm weather here.
Click the picture to see a full schedule:
We can’t wait for Venice, possibly China to see my sister-in-law, and Montana too! I would love to hear some suggestions on what events to put into the summer schedule for either this year or next!
Also —-coming in the next week will be a City Guide to Brussels, Belgium!
Happy Adventures,
Erika
I can’t believe I have yet to share a food guide to Lakeview! Well, here it is!
All of these places are walking distance from the Belmont ‘L’ stop on the Red, Purple & Brown lines. Lakeview’s borders are very grey too me, it seems to be one of the biggest neighborhoods of Chicago. So, I tried to focus these go-to spots to a smaller radius, mostly on Belmont Ave. & Southport Ave.
:::BREAKFAST:::
::For Coffee & Scones:: BITTERSWEET BAKERY – I love their selection of pastries here. If you go early enough, they will usually have 8 different types of scones! (Insert “praise hands” emoji)! My favorite scone being their apricot scone. They also have great desserts if you want something to-go!
::For a hearty Breakfast:: ANN SATHER – This is a Lakeview and Chicago staple. Ann Sather’s has adorable Swedish charm and delicious food to match. This spot is very reasonably priced (each dish coming with two sides, one of them = two cinnamon rolls that will seriously make you fall off your chair)! I have heard amazing things about the Swedish pancakes, I however ordered an omelet with the cinnamon rolls and hash browns as sides. Very tasty.
:::LUNCH:::
:::Fahlstrom’s Fresh Fish Market – A great new addition to the area! We were hesitant to try this spot…just thinking a fish market can easily be a big flop. But, let me tell you that this lunch location is not to be overlooked! The clam chowder is to die for! I think it is better than those that I’ve tasted in San Fran. Their signature sandwich, the “Crabster,” is A-MAZING. So much crab! You can’t go wrong with this new neighborhood hit.
:::DINNER:::
:::Ukai Japanese Restaurant – I know, I know I put seafood also for lunch…but this sushi is so delicious, I couldn’t leave it out! This spot is BYOB, which is nice too. They have great signature rolls, my fave being the Cubs Roll, Jake’s being the Spicy Rainbow. I didn’t get pictures of this place, but here is one of the inside from their Yelp site.
:::DESSERT:::
:::Jeni’s Ice Cream – Unique flavors and homemade waffle cones…rockstar combo. I could just stand outside this little storefront and smell the air for hours. I could also probably spend my afternoon trying every flavor. My first round was the Wildberry Lavender with a scoop of the Toasted Brioche with Butter and Raspberry Jam. Any choice would be a good one! This is definitely going to be a reoccurring summer pit stop.
:::LATE NIGHT:::
:::Music Box Theatre – It is worth going here just so you can see inside this building. The theatre holds so much history and elegance. They show many film festivals here as well as an eclectic assortment of older films. They just completed their bar/cocktail space as well!!
I hope you get a chance to stop in to some of these places on your next visit to Chicago!!
Happy Adventures,
Erika
I’m not really one to write about flight attendant life…one of the reasons being, it seems hard to explain. I received my bachelors in Managerial & Organizational Communication with a minor in Public Relations. I am smart and skilled. And people ask why did you become a flight attendant? Like I just settled for something or downgraded…truly this is a job like no other and can be compared to no other.
I grew up in a very exploration-minded home. My parents wanting us kids to see new cities and worlds. I treasured road trips with my mom and three brothers from Montana to California each year. I distinctly remember having to barter for a wallet on Canal Street in New York at age 12. My father took trips around the world, to places like Tajikistan or Zimbabwe and always returning with stories and goodies from across the globe. I knew what the feeling of seeing new places and meeting new people gave me. When I studied abroad in Prague, that’s when traveling really became a passion for me. I wanted to see how people lived…everywhere. I wanted to witness where they called home, even just for a short time. I wanted to discover each city for its uniqueness. And I realized, well yes, there is such a job where I can travel, meet people, and walk through a new city each week.
Having the privilege to travel is priceless. Being able to get on a plane to see my family whenever I can, is beyond a blessing. Feeling like I have the world at my fingertips is liberating! My bucket list seems possible, my dreams become reality. I’m in Florida on the beach one day and in Vancouver in the canopy of trees the next. One of my friends, who is also a flight attendant, will literally come to Chicago for the day to have lunch with me and go to a Chicago Cubs game. Then she will hop on the plane to work a flight to Germany.
This job does come with certain responsibilities and struggles too. The pressure of people’s safety being one and the thought of one day having to face a life-threatening situation being another. But being away from Jacob is my top struggle. We love to travel together and that is seriously the best. Jacob is understanding and gracious and knows that I enjoy what I do, but sometimes, being home with him is the only place I want to be. The job can also be very exhausting. Work hours become days and days become nights and you have to remember what city you landed in the night before. All that considered, when Jacob and I step off the plane in a foreign city there is a rush of excitement and adventure that matches no other feeling for me.
Lastly, this job has shown me how much people need God’s love. People need a smiling face and a warm gesture. People need to feel welcome and wanted. People want to know they matter. I could do that with many jobs. But this one seems to fit me. With this job, 160+ people are stuck with me at 30,000 feet, you bet I’m going to make them feel safe and welcome. And hopefully, I’ll get a chance to talk to some and maybe make a new friend or be that person that makes someone’s day a little brighter. This journey of life can be an epic adventure. I plan to use my gifts to the best of my ability, meet awesome people, and never stop exploring.
Happy Adventures (& thanks for reading!),
Erika
Winter is almost over!!! Chicago brightened up with one day of 60’s then went back down to the 30’s, my hope is still alive though! With this change of season, we found it best to say goodbye to winter with a ginger chai toddy. Not only because we will soon be changing to summer-y iced cocktails and fruit infused beverages, but because it also sends a nice warmth down your body to clear up any lingering cold left from winter.
Our simple recipe & what you’ll need:
Steep bags of tea in about 4 cups of hot water for 5-8 minutes. {You can either boil water in the kettle and put into carafe like shown, or steep in pot on the stove after water has come to a boil.} Cut the lemon into slices and put into pot or carafe while tea is steeping (leaving a few slices for garnish). Add fresh ginger and cloves if desired. After, pour into desired glass and add 1-2oz of Rum. Stir and garnish with lemon.
Now you have a yummy drink to warm up the tummy & to get through the last days of winter.
Enjoy!
Erika
Jake has been dreaming about Joshua Tree National Park, and the feeling of the sun on his back as he climbs past the “Dr. Seuss trees” up to the top of a boulder formation.
We had such an amazing camping trip there a few years back. I was looking through the pictures and remembering how incredible it was.
It is relatively easy to get to. If you aren’t local, you can fly into Palm Springs, LAX, Santa Ana (Orange County) or San Diego. Then get there by renting a car. You can also rent camping gear at Joshua Tree Outfitters — anything from tents & sleeping bags to a Coleman camping stove!
When we went, we stayed at the Jumbo Rocks Campsite, it’s the biggest with 124 sites. They have a fee of $10 per site. It was also the closest to the Skull Rock Trail. For reservation information and more about the park you can click HERE.
There are some really cool Airbnbs there too!!
This is probably one of my husband’s favorite places. For him, Joshua Tree is all about rocks, he loves to climb and be outside. The weather is rarely bad, unless it’s the dead of summer, then you might have some serious heat issues. It’s a great place for every level of hiking and climbing. Also, perfect for groups!
Happy Adventures,
Erika
Scones in the Sky 